El Pasoans once again proved that the Hyundai Sun Bowl -- this 79th version of the old bowl -- is a source of pride, a source of community involvement.

On this final Monday afternoon of 2012, on a day that was not bad for football weather, but far too cold and blustery for warm-natured El Pasoans, this city turned out. On this final day of 2012, in a game featuring two teams with a combined 11 losses, 47,922 El Pasoans (just over 2,000 shy of a sellout) made their way into the stadium.

For the record, Georgia Tech outdefended USC 21-7 on this chilly day -- a day when the sun made only cameo appearances.

Smiling, shaking his head, bundled up warmly, Hyundai of El Paso CEO Oscar Leeser said, "It was cold and it was windy and the stands were full. It was amazing. The weather forecasts going in didn't help us -- cold, windy, possible rain. But this just shows the tradition of the Sun Bowl. It's something we're all proud of. And, for me, just watching Georgia Tech after the game was special. They were so happy."

The game was expected to be an offensive fireworks display. But, partially because of that stiff, chill wind, it turned into a defensive duel. The two teams were scoreless after the opening quarter -- although USC appeared to kick a field goal. The kick was ruled good, but then, after a video review, it was discovered to be wide.

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Each team managed to find the end zone in the second quarter. Georgia Tech scored first, taking a 7-0 lead when Vad Lee hit David Sims with a 3-yard scoring pass. USC got even with just 50 seconds left in the half, scoring on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Max Wittek to running back Silas Redd. And so they made it to the intermission all even, 7-7.

But the second half was simply a disaster for USC. The Trojans went to the break with four first downs. They did not get a fifth until midway through the fourth quarter. They finished with 10, but three of those were via penalty. In the end, USC -- which had been averaging 451.9 yards of total offense per game -- finished with just 205 total yards. They had just 107 yards passing, only 98 yards rushing.

Of course, USC was playing without starting quarterback Matt Barkley, who has a shoulder injury. Wittek, a redshirt freshman, stepped in for Barkley and was simply ineffective all day.

"They played a great game on defense," Wittek said of Georgia Tech. "They got pressure when they needed pressure and they covered well."

As Leeser pointed out, though, Georgia Tech was as happy as USC was unhappy. The Yellow Jackets have been an excellent program under coach Paul Johnson for the past five years and have been to a bowl game for each of the past 16 years. All that aside, they had lost seven straight bowl games, including last year's disappointing 30-27 overtime decision to Utah in this same Hyundai Sun Bowl.

"I don't pay attention to that," Johnson said. "We played with a lot of heart and we played with a lot of determination. I'm happy for our players and I'm happy for Georgia Tech fans."

And Georgia Tech certainly did plenty to make those fans happy on this, for the most part, sun-less Sun Bowl.

Jamal Golden returned a short USC punt 56 yards to the 1-yard line early in the third quarter and Yellow Jacket quarterback Tevin Washington pounded it in from there and Georgia Tech never looked back. Washington hit Orwin Smith with a 17-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter for a little insurance. Overall, the Yellow Jacket defense really did not need any insurance. That unit controlled the line of scrimmage and never let the Trojans get anything going; not anything.

In the end, it was a successful afternoon for the visitors from Atlanta -- just as it was for the locals and the Sun Bowl. CBS had its national television cameras beamed on the event for the 45th consecutive year and the big crowd showed well on camera.

"I'm thrilled," Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas said. "Another great success. The football gods smiled on us. It was a good day -- good football weather and people turned out. We had two great teams and they battled it out. Great success. Great day."

They headed home late Monday -- Georgia Tech happily heading east, USC sadly heading west. Georgia Tech finished its season smack even at 7-7, while USC finished at 7-6. That's a lot of combined losses.

But, on this chilly, blustery, final day of 2012, no one seemed to care. El Pasoans took pride and ownership in their annual football bowl game, showed up and made it a great show.

Yet again.

Bill Knight may be reached at bknight@elpasotimes.com; 546-6171. Follow him on Twitter @BillKnightept

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